And switch off, BB.
No, something sinister is going on and I'll take it to the computer shop on Monday. At least I can get 10-15 mins of connection and working computer so can check emails and so on, albeit quickly.

Apologies for boring post/if this has already been covered...
How do you stop your desk top printer ink from drying out or the nozzles seizing up or whatever happens to stop the printer working when you don't use it often enough?
My IT guy attached a tank thingy to my printer with economy sized inks but, frustratingly, whilst I have shedloads of black and the other colours it only prints in green if it hasn't been used for a while. I realise that I need to regularly print to keep the ink flowing properly but I'm unable to do this when I'm frequently away for a few weeks at a time with the house locked up and the PC, printer etc. switched off, and I don't have the knack for clearing the heads or whatever's required to get the black ink going again on my returns, resulting in a call-out fee each time.
I suppose I could resort to going back to buying the smallest size inks, use them and bin, making sure to buy a new pack ready for when I return each time, but would welcome any better suggestions (other than telling me to learn how to fix this issue myself - I can't, I've tried!)
Thanks.

lomuamart wrote:And switch off, BB.
No, something sinister is going on and I'll take it to the computer shop on Monday. At least I can get 10-15 mins of connection and working computer so can check emails and so on, albeit quickly.

Sorry Lomu, but maybe you will need to check the other current thread............ “buying a new laptop”!!

When you're not going to use the printer for, let's say, a week, take out the printer cartridges, wrap them in plastic wrap and put them in a sealed plastic bag. This will keep them form drying out. The last time I had my printer in for service the repairman told me to use it daily to keep it from drying out. That's not practical for me.

You might be on to something, Buksi. Did as you suggested and switched the computer on without the internet. Came back to it 45 mins later and it was working fine.
Ran a Malwarebyte and Avast scan and had no issues with either.
Switched the modem on again and went out for 25 mins and have come back and all is OK.
I don't claim to understand a bit of it.

When you're not going to use the printer for, let's say, a week, take out the printer cartridges, wrap them in plastic wrap and put them in a sealed plastic bag. This will keep them form drying out. The last time I had my printer in for service the repairman told me to use it daily to keep it from drying out. That's not practical for me.

I gave up using printers at home years ago because of that very reason of cartridges drying out, and now whenever I need to print a document just to go to an internet café and have it printed out there. A lot more cost effective for someone who seldom needs printouts. Thats a good tip though

I have used HP Adantage printers, and ink, for many years and the ink which I stock in a draw has never been a problem. I guess an ink box lasts about 4/5 months. Use is 2/3 pages every 3 days, sometimes more. have changed house location also.

VERAX - What matters in life is not where you are from but where you are going.

I got sick of ink cartridges drying out, even in the UK, so got a colour laser printer instead. Not too much more outlay than an inkjet, the after-market cassettes are about the same price as an OEM inkjet cartridge. It’s no use for photo printing but that can be taken to a shop who will use a dye sublimation printer, which I think gives a more vibrant result than my old inkjet anyway. My printer in Hua Hin is a b/w laser and the toner is still going strong after 5 years!

I bought a black and white HP laser printer in Market Village 9 years ago and changed the cartridge for the first time in June this year.
Due to the age of my laptop and dying battery I’m considering dispensing with a laptop and buying a new WiFi laser printer and printing from my iPad/iPhone.
Any recommendations?